For all of those politically correct individuals who were misdirected here, visit my sister first. The rest of you know a manhole as an access point to an underground tunnel: Subway, service shaft, se...

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Patriots & Ex-Pats

My Most Sincere Thanks

Late last week, I asked for your assistance in winning an award for newcomers to HubPages.com. I am humbled by the responses I got.

You have mail.

For the 427th time, my BlackBerry let me know I had email. I was tired and glanced its way disapprovingly. After 18 more bings, I stalked over to plug it in (for the second time) and flipped through the messages. One caught my eye, so I went back to the ‘puter to see what it said. It’s sender and subject line let me know it was not bulk mail:

Hi Ann Marie Dwyer,

Congratulations! With 25 percent of the vote, your Hub was selected by the HubPages community as a winner! Excited? We are!

Your profile picture and an excerpt and link to your Hub will be included in today’s weekly HubPages newsletter that is sent to over 150,000 HubPages community members. You will also receive the HubNuggets Accolade, one of the rarest Accolades on HubPages.

Let me be the first to congratulate you and encourage you to continue to write such wonderful Hubs. You’re an example for all Hubbers who are getting started and an encouragement to “veterans” as well.

We hope that you continue to enjoy writing at HubPages and participating in the community. We certainly enjoy your work.

Congratulations again, and we look forward to seeing you around.”

No Small Feat

As it turns out, there was a mad dash of voting the day before the contest ended. Where I had only gotten 55 votes on Saturday, more than 300 votes were cast Tuesday. I had five other competitors with really good pieces against me, too. And I had committed the mother of all errors: A subject no one wants to talk about or learn about…ever.

I could not have done it….

Shocked and Amazed

Award or not, your comments mean more to me than all the trophies I could add to the wall of fame. The piece has garnered 66 comments so far. If you have not seen it yet, I would love to hear from you.

Why, thank you, Andro. I do certainly hope you can make your way here with a bit more striking regularity. And as I see you have a new offering, I shall adieu. Friday is the best…at least it will be in a few more hours! Red.